Magluta Guilty Of Bribery, Money Laundering

Reputed drug lord Sal Magluta, the chief target of federal prosecutors in South Florida for more than a dozen years, was convicted Thursday of money laundering and of bribing a juror in his 1996 drug-trafficking trial.

Magluta, whom authorities describe as a cocaine cowboy who once flaunted his huge drug profits, raced cigarette boats and stashed millions in suitcases during the 1980s, was cleared of ordering the murders of three witnesses, sparing him a mandatory life sentence. The split verdicts caused both sides in the case to claim victory.

The federal court jury of five men and seven women found Magluta guilty of 12 of the 39 counts against him, convicting him of conspiracy to obstruct justice and conspiracy to disobey a court order that he not spend any drug proceeds on his defense.

The jury also found that because Magluta's money and property were linked to the conspiracy to launder drug trafficking proceeds, he must forfeit $15 million and a house -- which prosecutors convinced jurors was linked to a conspiracy that involved members of his drug organization. A decade ago, Magluta and his partner, Willie Falcon, who started out cutting, drying and measuring cocaine, were the masterminds of a huge cocaine enterprise that used a boat racing team and a softball team as cover for a cocaine importing operation that spanned the globe, prosecutors say.

Magluta, 47, repeatedly rubbed his head as the verdicts were read, at one point wiping his eyes. Behind him, friends and members of his family cried.

A few hours later, after the jury had ruled on the forfeiture part of the case, Magluta said goodbye.

"I love you all," he said. "Thank you for all your prayers."

Magluta then blew a kiss to his father, Manuel, as he was led out of the courtroom, a tender moment in a hard-fought trial that brought to a close one of the longest running criminal prosecutions in Florida history.

After duo since 1989

Federal authorities have pursued Magluta and Falcon since 1989, accusing the pair of making more than $2 billion on drugs between 1978 and 1991.

Prosecutors said they were disappointed that the jury did not convict Magluta of the murders, but pleased that Magluta, whom the jury determined had bribed the jury foreman in his 1996 trial, had finally been brought to justice.

"Not only does this verdict today send a strong message that this community will not tolerate murders, will not tolerate money laundering, but it also sends a strong message that we will not allow anyone to violate our cherished constitutional rights," U.S. Attorney Marcos JM-mmenez said.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Magluta had spent his drug money on property and boats, putting his homes in other names. They also presented evidence and testimony that he had funneled millions of dollars to defense attorneys and associates after his assets were frozen by a court order, and laundered as much as $80 million in drug profits.

The prosecution's key witness was Marilyn Bonachea, a childhood friend and former lover of Magluta's who served as his bookkeeper.

The defense tried to discredit those witnesses, particularly Bonachea, who admitted that she had stolen as much as $5 million of Magluta's money while handling his books. Noting that the jury found Magluta not guilty of 21 money-laundering counts, Defense Attorney Jack Denaro said Bonachea's credibility likely figured heavily in the jurors' decisions.

Sentencing Nov. 14

Magluta, who has been in prison for much of the past decade and has been held without bond on the new charges, faces a possible prison sentence of 20 years on the most serious counts. U.S. District Judge Patricial Seitz set sentencing for Nov. 14.

Federal authorities went to extraordinary lengths to provide tight security for Magluta's trial, sequestering the jury for three months -- the first time that had occurred in the Southern District of Florida. Several federal marshals stood watch over the proceedings and once inside, visitors were not permitted to leave if the jury was moving to or from the courtroom.

Seitz also ordered that that the court not release the names of the anonymous jury, which she thanked at the end of the trial.

"You have reaffirmed for all of us our confidence in the jury system," Seitz said.

Denaro, who said he would ask the court to set aside the verdict and order a new trial on the bribery and money laundering convictions, said Magulta and his family were very happy with the result.

"He knows that he has his life back," Denaro said. "If he had been convicted of the murders he would have faced the strictest sentence."

"Being found not guilty, he has a future ahead of him, apart from prison."

Appeal is planned

Magluta also plans to appeal his convictions. Denaro said he thinks Magluta will have a strong case on appeal because his 1996 acquittal on drug-trafficking charges was never overturned; because of the constitutional provisions against double jeopardy, prosecutors had to file different charges.